Modern Woodmen of America, based in Rock Island, recently wrapped up its 45th National Conference mixing business with a dose of fundraising in sunny Orlando, Florida.
Founded by pioneer woodmen in 1883, the fraternal financial organization convened its members from Monday to Wednesday, June 22-24. Every four years, members from across the country elect delegates to represent them at the convention. This year, nearly 200 member delegates were welcomed to the conference. During the three-day event, delegates:
- Reviewed Modern Woodmen’s bylaws and its financial and fraternal progress from 2022 to 2026.
- Elected the board of directors and other officers.
- Raised money for Miles To Go, an Orlando-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
“The best thing about Modern Woodmen? Our members come from different walks of life and areas of the country, but we all share common bonds – financial security, quality family life and community impact,” Modern Woodmen President and CEO Jerry Lyphout said in a news release issued Monday, June 29. “Not only do we make a better life for ourselves, but we make the nation a better place for everyone.”
Members, including several from the bistate Quad Cities, who were elected to Modern Woodmen’s board of directors are: Joseph A. Sztapka, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Lester L. Bohnert, East Moline; Sandra L. Stosz, Falmouth, Massachusetts; Jackie R. Zachmeyer, Milan; Thomas H. Harris, Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Bruce K. Baude, Carmel, Indiana; and Todd D. Swanson, Bettendorf.
Modern Woodmen’s Mr. Lyphout, of East Moline, and National Secretary and Executive Vice President Shea E. Doyle, of Bettendorf, are appointed by the board and, under the bylaws, automatically serve as members.
In addition, these officers were elected for convention proceedings: Anthony W. High, Tompkinsville, Kentucky; Donald D. Wixom, Nampa, Idaho; Angela C. Hill, Starkville, Mississippi; and Dwight W. Adamson, Olivehurst, California.
Support for Miles To Go
At each national convention, Modern Woodmen shows its support of the host city by investing in and partnering with a local nonprofit. This year, its partner was Miles To Go, which supports individuals experiencing homelessness in Florida.
Leading up to and during the event, members were encouraged to donate with contributions matched by Modern Woodmen. Members helped raise $38,470, partially through a step challenge fundraiser.
In addition, members packed more than 900 bags of personal supplies by hand for those experiencing homelessness. Valued at a total of $27,000, the bags were filled with socks, a T-shirt, hygiene items (soap, toothpaste and deodorant), water, protein-rich snacks, first-aid supplies, sanitizer, along with a personal note of encouragement.
“Our thanks to Modern Woodmen for their generosity of heart, time and record-breaking financial contribution to Miles To Go! Together, we packed more Miles To Go bags than ever before with any individual group,” Danielle Newbold, Miles to Go founder and CEO, said in the release. “Your commitment to service and philanthropy is awe-inspiring. We’re proud to partner with you and hope to continue this relationship for years to come.”
Swinging into action
The meeting comes just two months after Modern Woodmen expanded its support of a ballpark in Modesto, California, by securing the field’s naming rights. Now named Modern Woodmen Field, the Modesto Roadsters’ homefield was known as the John Thurman Field for a former California assembly man. The Pioneer Baseball League park is the second park to bear the name of the fraternal life insurer, joining Davenport’s Modern Woodmen Park. Dave Heller, founder of Main Street Baseball, owns both minor league teams, the Modesto Roadsters and the Quad-Cities River Bandits.
